The Western Snowy Plover is a rare bird that makes its nest in the sand from March - September. It's small speckled eggs are difficult to see.

You may see fenced areas with signs reading, "Temporary closure for snowy plovers." These areas protect the plover and it's nest from predators and other disturbances.

By limiting your use around plover protection zones, you are contributing to the recovery of the Western Snowy Plover.

Much of the vegetation you see covering the South Spit is not native. Species such as European Beachgrass, Ice Plant, and Yellow Bush Lupine cover the dunes, crowd out native plant species, and provide little habitat for native wildlife. You may notice workers pulling vegetation or see piles of pulled plants among the dunes. By removing these plants, the native dune mat vegetation can recolonize the area.

The Wiyot people have lived around Humboldt Bay and within the Redwood Belt for over one thousand years, moving seasonally from and to the South Spit, which they know as Pi'mad.

Traditionally, Wiyot people established villages, camps, and activity areas on Pi'mad where they could gather and process a variety of resources such as clams, marine snails, fish eels, sea mammals, occasional beached whales, and other foodstuffs and basketry materials. Driftwood and logs that washed up on the beaches were used to make houses and canoes. Trails connected the bay, with its canoe access from the mainland, to Pi'mad and south to Table Bluff and the Eel River. Wiyot descendants still live, raise their families, and work in the area, using their skills and knowledge to protect the resources their ancestors valued.

Image courtesy of Table Bluff Reservation -Wiyot Tribe